Thessaloniki to Commemorate 100 Years Since the Asia Minor Catastrophe

Photo Source: @Municipality of Thessaloniki

The Municipality of Thessaloniki this year will hold a number of events and initiatives to commemorate the 100th anniversary since the Asia Minor catastrophe.

The city’s municipal council recently presented a year-long scheme including conferences, exhibitions and cultural activities to commemorate the events that lead to the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) and the population exchange treaty that was signed by both the Turkish and Greek governments in January 1923.

“Thessaloniki will honor this anniversary and recall memories and legacies… with the aim to keep memories alive,” Mayor Konstantinos Zervas said.

As announced by Thessaloniki Deputy Mayor for International Relations and Greek Diaspora Stefania Tanimanidou, the municipality is planning to hold:

– conferences in collaboration with research centers, cultural and educational organizations on the events that lead to the arrival of Greek refugees to Thessaloniki and their contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the city, as well as on the role of women in Asia Minor

– a large exhibition featuring historic items, audiovisual material etc.

– a student painting exhibition

– cultural events and activities by city art groups and individual artists

– activities aiming to highlight the flavors and nutritional traditions of Greeks in Asia Minor but also the influence of Asia Minor to Greek cuisine

– presentation of customs from various regions of Asia Minor.

Tanimanidou also presented the logo that will accompany the 2022 commemorating events.

“Asia Minor, 100 years of memory” – The logo created by the Thessaloniki municipality to commemorate the 100th anniversary since the Asia Minor catastrophe.

The logo features the letter M that depicts the timeline from 1922 to 2022, with dots that present the course and personal dimension of the historic events.